Speed believed to be factor in Smithfield rollover

SMITHFIELD — Speed is believed to be a factor in a vehicle rollover Saturday on Smithfield Road that sent a Smithfield woman to a Lewiston hospital.

Chelsey Willette, 20, was flown by LifeFlight helicopter to Central Maine Medical Center following the one-vehicle crash which was reported between 12:43 and 12:45 p.m., according to Dale Lancaster, chief deputy of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.

Willette was driving a 1999 Chevrolet Blazer north on Smithfield Road when she apparently lost control of the vehicle at the intersection of Village Road, near Sweet Dreams convenience store, according to Lancaster.

The red Blazer drifted to the right and then Willette apparently overcompensated, which caused the vehicle to flip on its roof, he said. Then the Blazer rolled back onto its wheels, resulting in a complete rollover, and landed in the ditch, he said.

The speed limit is 45 mph on that stretch of road, according to Lancaster.

“We do believe speed was involved,” he said.

He said Willette was not wearing a seat belt when the accident occurred. When emergency crews arrived at the scene, she was not in the driver’s seat and had been thrown around inside the vehicle, he said.

Deputies Joe Jackson and Ian Shalit responded to the accident, as did Oakland police, Rome Rescue, Smithfield Fire Department and Delta Ambulance, according to Lancaster.

A nursing supervisor at Central Maine Medical Center said Sunday she did not have permission to comment on Willette’s condition. A message left on the hospital’s public relations line was not returned Sunday.

Here at MaineToday Media we value our readers and are committed to growing our community by encouraging you to add to the discussion.

To ensure conscientious dialogue we have implemented a strict no-bullying policy. To participate, you must follow our Terms of Use. Click here to flag and report a comment that violates our terms of use.